(336) 855-5821
AAHA AccreditedTopics Below: Excessive Grooming | Lick Granuloma | Flank Sucking | Sucking in Cats | Psychogenic Licking in Cats | Underlying Conditions
Excessive Grooming
Fear, frustration, inactivity and isolation can lead to anxiety. A pet can direct this anxiety against objects, in such ways as destruction of property, or against itself. Excessive licking, nibbling, chewing, sucking and rubbing at hair and skin can result in self-inflicted injury.
It is important to determine whether excessive grooming began in response to an underlying medical problem, or whether an underlying behavioral problem created a medical condition. It is often necessary to treat the pet for both the behavioral and medical problems that contributed to the skin problem, regardless of how it began.
Behavior problems related to grooming may be the result of separation anxiety, addition of a new pet or member of the household, or a lack of exercise and attention, among others. Inadequate brushing or combing may result in formation of mats and tangles in the haircoat. These cause discomfort and predispose to skin problems. Regardless of how excessive grooming begins, it may persist long after the initial cause has disappeared.
Behavior that allows immediate release of anxiety tends to be repeated, becoming an enduring and persistent pattern. The excessive grooming may resolve temporarily, only to re-emerge in times of stress. It may be performed in your absence. You may unknowingly encourage excessive grooming by paying attention to your pet's self-mutilation.
Consult your veterinarian at the earliest sign of any grooming problem. A referral to a veterinarian specializing in pet behavior problems can help curtail a problem before it becomes firmly established.
[Top of Page]Lick Granuloma in Dogs
Excessive licking of a particular body area can result in hair loss or a red-brown discoloration from the saliva. A dog may discover that constant grooming of a single area, most often on one or both front legs or paws, is a comforting activity. Underlying skin becomes sensitized and inflamed. As itchiness escalates, the dog is likely to lick more, creating a cycle of itching and licking that is often difficult to break.
A lick granuloma consists of thickened layers of skin that form in response to chronic inflammation. This can become difficult to distinguish from a tumor, and a biopsy may be needed to identify it.
Treatment of the lick granuloma may include medication and surgery. Individual dogs respond differently to treatment. You should be prepared to cooperate with your veterinarian in treatment. Treatment must include behavioral modification of the dog's daily schedule of activity so as to reverse pre-existing patterns of behavior that may have contributed to the excessive licking.
[Top of Page]Flank Sucking in Dogs
Flank sucking is a peculiar behavior reported almost exclusively in Doberman Pinschers. Lying on its chest and supported on its elbows, the dog typically turns its neck toward its tail and sucks on its hind leg. It often appears calm and completely absorbed in this activity, sometimes continuing for long periods. However, this generally harmless behavior may cause skin disorders related to moisture. A genetic predisposition is suspected.
[Top of Page]Sucking in Cats
Some pet cats have a habit of sucking on a blanket, an article of clothing or some other selected material, such as wool. This may begin in young kittens and persist into adulthood. Typically, sucking and gnawing are accompanied by the alternating kneading with the front paws, as seen in kittens during nursing. The cat may purr loudly and salivate profusely. It is more common in Siamese and Abyssinians but has been reported in many breeds.
Sucking behavior can be objectionable if the cat damages valued items. Ingestion of some of the material could result in intestinal obstruction.
Treatment depends in part on the cat's preference of material. If it is limited to one object and the cat's health is not in jeopardy, it may be easiest to sacrifice the object and tolerate the behavior. If a preference for a specific texture, such as wool, draws the cat to several items, it may be necessary to block access or make them unavailable.
The cat's attraction may be discouraged by applying a distasteful scent, such as citrus or mint, to the desired items. Increased exercise and positive social interaction with owners may also be beneficial. A wider variety of toys and more play time also help to control sucking behavior.
[Top of Page]Psychogenic Licking in Cats
Injury caused by excessive licking in cats is aggravated by the normally rough texture of the feline tongue. Hair loss and skin inflammation can occur anywhere the cat can reach with its licking. Unfortunately, the cat's flexibility gives it almost complete access to most body surfaces, except behind the head and neck.
Some anxious cats cause only slight damage to their coat, while others lick themselves raw, creating ulcers and thick scabs. They may do this when they are left alone or in your presence. Regardless of the initial stressful situation or stimulus, psychogenic licking must be controlled quickly. Appropriate medication, prescribed by your veterinarian, is frequently necessary to treat the injured skin. In many cases, psychoactive medication must be used to alter the cat's emotional state, in addition to adjustments in its daily routine.
[Top of Page]Underlying Medical Conditions
Medical disorders are commonly accompanied by behavior changes in pets. In fact, a change in normal behavior may be the first sign of a medical problem. Loss of appetite and reduced levels of normal activity (lethargy) are typical complaints of almost every pet owner reporting a pet's ailment.
Excessive grooming can be a sign of various physical problems, such as external parasites (fleas and ticks, for example) or internal parasites (tapeworms or roundworms). Bacterial, viral and fungal infections can cause skin eruptions. Allergic reactions to inhaled particles, food, medication or contact with irritating substances can be manifested by skin abnormalities. Autoimmune processes and metabolic or hormonal imbalances are associated with a variety of skin conditions. Discomfort from anal sac impaction or infection can result in redirected grooming of completely unrelated body parts.
Behavioral disorders must always be included in the list of possible underlying causes when excessive grooming or skin problems are noticed. Anxiety, resulting from separation or isolation or in response to addition of a new pet or human housemate may be expressed by excessive grooming.
A dog that chews or licks excessively at its foot may have been stung by an insect or stepped on a sharp object or an irritating substance. It may have seasonal allergies to pollen or dust, or it may have an ingrown toe nail. It may also simply be anxious about a change in its environment or a lack of attention and exercise. Some dogs have even been known to bite their nails. A relatively inoffensive behavior, nail-biting can become a habit long after the initial cause has passed.
[Top of Page]